Friday, February 11, 2011

Having received a request for another story, I came up with one while lying in bed one night.

Here it is!

Once upon a time, there was a traveler walking down a road. In the start of our story, the road was passing through a beautiful valley, filled with flowers and trees. The traveler was walking leisurely along with his friends, he had a pocket full of money, and his prospects were bright.

If only it had stayed that way. But the skies grew stormy, and the traveler and his friends had to take shelter under a tree. During the night, robbers stealthily crept up on them, and stole the traveler' s money. In fright, his friends abandoned him.

Still, the traveler pressed on, sure that just over the hill there was sunshine. As he trudged, his clothes grew thin, his muscles ached, and he felt pain all over. In despair, he sank down by the edge of the road, ready to give up all hope.

He felt someone touch his arm. Warily, the traveler looked up, and saw in front of him, a prince. The prince looked down at him and said,

"If you will believe me and follow me, I will rid you of your dirty rags and help you on the way you are going."

The traveler stared at the prince and saw his face was kind.

"Yes, I will follow you," the traveler said decidedly

They continued the journey along the path. At first, there was no change in the roughness of the path or the weather, but to the traveler it was better. The prince would help him up when he fell. As they steadily treaded up the hill, the skies did brighten, and at length they came to a fork in the road.

The fork consisted of two very different paths. One was wide and well-trodden, while the other was skinny and rough, with brambles and vines covering it.

"Let's go this way," the traveler said, motioning to the wide path.

"No," replied the prince. "That road may be wide and the journey easy, but it only leads to destruction. Follow me on this narrow path; it leads to happiness."

"I'm sorry, sir," answered the traveler, "Thank you for saving my life and all but I think you've got it wrong. You can take whatever road you choose, but I am taking the wide one."

Having said this, he began to walk down it. The prince watched in silence, for he knew what was coming.

Down the wide path, the traveler whistled as he walked. He had a great time! It was easy going, and he met many of his old friends on the road. Still, he grew weary after a while and sat down to rest by the side of the road. Soon he drifted off into a deep sleep.

When he awoke, he saw a telescope lying beside him. Picking it up, he stared into it to see what was down the path. This was an amazing telescope! He could see farther and farther, there! He could see the end of the path! To his dismay, he saw a great river of fire. Immediately, he knew the prince had been right. He rushed back down the wide road with all his might, until he came again to the fork in the road. The prince was still there, waiting quietly.

"Oh, my prince!" the traveler cried, falling at his feet. "You were right and I was wrong. I left you and followed my own path. Can you ever forgive me?"

The prince took the man's hand and helped him stand up. Gazing into his eyes, he said, "I can and have forgiven you. Now let us go on."

Together, the traveler and the prince began their journey through the narrow path. It was very difficult, yet the traveler realized that when he let the prince go first, it was easier. Oh, there were still brambles and thorns, but there were less of them.

Finally, they came to a crossing point between the wide road and the narrow path. "Do you want to walk the wide road again?" asked the prince.

"No!" answered the traveler, "I have had enough of that one."

Just then, who should they see coming up the path but the traveler's four friends. They were walking the wide road, and chatting and laughing. The traveler shouted at them and waved.

"Friends! I have something to tell you! Quick, come here. You see this man? He is leading me on this narrow path, because I have seen the end of the road you are on. It is a great pit of fire."

Three of his friends laughed at ran on. But one of them, named John, came toward the traveler and said, "I will come with you."

The threesome continued to work their way to the top of the hill for many weeks. At last, they reached the top.

The traveler and John looked shocked. They were at the top of a cliff. Across a cavern stood a glorious kingdom, but at the bottom of the cavern was the great pit of fire the traveler had seen.

They looked at each other in horror, each wondering how they would get across.

But to their surprise, the prince himself stretched himself across the cavern, forming a bridge.

"Cross on me, " he commanded.

Timidly, the traveler and John stepped out on the prince and tiptoed to the other side. At once, the prince was beside them.

"You have believed and followed me, " said the prince. "Now you will become inhabitants of this kingdom. Follow me."

When he had said this, John and the traveler followed the prince into the heavenly kingdom, the place that would be their home for eternity.

Well the past is playing with my headAnd failure knocks me down againI’m reminded of the wrongThat I have said and doneAnd that devil just won't let me forgetIn this lifeI know what I’ve beenBut here in your armsI know what I amI’m forgivenI’m forgivenAnd I don’t have to carryThe weight of who I’ve beenCause I’m forgivenMy mistakes are running through my mindAnd I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the nightWhen I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my prideSometimes I feel alone, and I cryIn this lifeI know what I’ve beenBut here in your armsI know what I amI’m forgivenI’m forgivenAnd I don’t have to carryThe weight of who I’ve beenCause I’m forgivenWhen I don't fit in and I don’t feel like I belong anywhereWhen I don’t measure up to much in this lifeOh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘causeI’m forgivenI’m forgivenAnd I don’t have to carryThe weight of who I’ve beenCause I’m forgiven

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

....... from Little Buddy (my four year old brother) in his silliest mode.

We were out in the garage doing our chores. I had just finished vacuuming the van, and my sister Sweet Pea was sweeping. Little Buddy was out there with both of us. He was supposed to help me, but I didn't have many chores left to do. Here our conversation begins.

"Well," I said as I shrugged my shoulders, "I guess you could help me clean my room."

"But I need his help out here," whined Sweet Pea.

"Poor Sweet Pea,"Little Buddy said in his mock pitiful tone. "My poor sister. You don't have any one to help you. She is so so poor. Oh, my poor, poor sister."

(Assumes manly super hero pose and tone)

"I will help her!"

(Mimics Sweet Pea)

"Yeah, Yeah!!!!"

"Little Buddy, are you speaking in the literal or symbolic sense?" Sweet Pea asked.

He pondered this for a minute and then answered

"Imbolic sense."

"Do you know what that means?" questioned Sweet Pea, giving one of her famous "I don't think you know what you're talking about" looks.

About Me

Hey there! Nice to meet you. I am Abby. More than that, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. He is my everything, and he shows me more and more of who he is each day. Here in my corner of the blogosphere, I strive to celebrate the beauty of life, by sharing the big and little works of God I see everyday. My hope is that by sharing what He is doing in my life, God will use my words to encourage you in your journey. Please join me in spreading the joy that comes from living to further His kingdom!

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ, throughout all generations, forever and ever, amen!